Weighting assembly for golf club

ABSTRACT

A weighting assembly for a golf club is adapted to be removably attached to the upper portion of a golf club shaft. This weighting assembly includes a threaded fastener, an upper shaft component, a weight and a weight support component. The upper shaft component is adapted to be secured within the top end of the golf club shaft, and it has a hole that is threaded to receive the threaded fastener. The weight support component is adapted to receive the weight. The upper shaft component and the weight support component each have detent features that cooperate to produce a detent mechanism that is adapted to prevent movement of the weight support component with respect to the golf club shaft when the threaded fastener is threaded into the hole in the upper shaft component.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S.application Ser. No. 14/598,629 which was filed on Jan. 16, 2015. Thisapplication also claims the benefit, through its parent application, ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/941,186 which was filed onFeb. 18, 2014, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/970,174 whichwas filed on Mar. 25, 2014, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/012,699 which was filed on Jun. 16, 2014, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/021,983 which was filed on Jul. 8, 2014, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/041,997 which was filed on Aug.26, 2014. Each of the aforementioned applications is hereby incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a weighting assembly for a golf clubthat is adapted to be removably attached to the upper portion of thegolf club shaft. Preferred embodiments of this invention relate to sucha weighting assembly that may be adjustably located at differentrotational positions on the golf club shaft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The golf club has changed in the hundreds of years since the game wasinvented. Each of today's golf clubs consists of three main components,the club head, the shaft and the grip. Over time, each of thesecomponents has been modified to improve the “feel” of the club as itstrikes a ball, and to provide for more control over the path of thestruck ball. Golf clubs known as “woods” are now almost uniformly madeof metal. Golf club shafts are now made of metals and/or carbon fibermaterials. Early golf club grips consisted primarily of a leather strapthat was wrapped in overlapping fashion around the upper part of thegolf club shaft. Molded grips of various elastomeric materials weresubsequently developed and adapted to be slipped over the shaft andsecured thereon using an adhesive. More recent developments in gripshave resulted in the incorporation of a plastic or carbon fiber sleevebetween the golf club shaft and the grip. However, these sleeves arealso typically attached to the shaft using an adhesive.

In an effort to provide some control over the scope of changes beingmade to the golf club, and to provide for uniformity in golf rules, theR&A, a group of related entities including R&A Championships Limited,Company, R&A Rules Limited, Company and R&A Group Services Limited,Company, and the United States Golf Association (USGA) have jointlyissued the Rules of Golf since 1952. The USGA assumes responsibility forthe administration of the Rules of Golf in the United States and Mexico,whereas the R&A assumes this responsibility in 128 countries throughoutEurope, Africa. Asia-Pacific and the remainder of the Americas.

The Rules of Golf now include, in Appendices II and III, detailed andspecific rules regarding golf clubs and their configuration. The grip ofa golf club is defined as “material added to the shaft to enable theplayer to obtain a firm hold. The grip must be fixed to the shaft, mustbe straight and plain in form, must extend to the end of the shaft andmust not be molded for any part of the hands.” For clubs other thanputters, the grip must be circular in cross-section, although a gripwhich has subtle changes in surface texture is generally considered toconform to the rules. In addition, the longitudinal axis of the grip forclubs other than putters must coincide with the longitudinal axis of thegolf club shaft. However, the rules relating to grips for putters allowfor non-circular cross-sections and for locating the grip on the shaftso that its axis is offset from that of the shaft. Consequently, agolfer now has hundreds of choices of putters of various sizes andconfigurations. Putters can have heads of various sizes, shapes andweights, shafts of various diameters and lengths, and at least 85different grips. However, grips for putters have not previously beenprovided which can be positioned on a shaft in such a way as to modifythe loft and lie angles of the putter.

Because conventional golf club grips, or a sleeve component thereof, areadhesively attached to the shaft, it is not possible to change a gripwithout first cutting it off the shaft. Consequently, the removal ofconventional golf club grips from the shaft requires their destruction.Furthermore, it is a laborious process to cut an adhesively secured gripor grip sleeve from a shaft and to remove the adhesive residue so thatanother grip may be attached. It would be advantageous if aninterchangeable golf grip and grip assembly could be provided forremovable attachment to the shaft of a golf club in compliance with theRules of Golf.

Although it is known to provide weighting systems for a golf club bywhich a weight may be attached to a golf club grip to change the balanceof the club, it would also be advantageous if a golf club grip could beprovided that inherently modifies the balance of the club. It would beparticularly advantageous if a golf club grip could be provided that canbe removably located at different rotational positions on the shaft inorder to modify the balance of the golf club. It would also beadvantageous if a weighting assembly could be provided for a golf club,which weighting assembly is adapted to be removably attached to theupper portion of the golf club shaft.

In addition, various techniques have been developed to provide ananti-slip characteristic to golf club grips. Thus, for example,simulated leather wrapped grips molded out of an elastomeric materialwith an indented spiral surface pattern are known to provide anti-slipcharacteristics, as are molded grips with small patterned indentationssuch as lines or dots.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,500 describes a composite grip comprising twoseparate segments that are adhered together to define an elongatedresilient strip that is spirally wrapped around a tapered resilientsleeve. The underlying segment is preferably wider than the overlyingsegment and is comprised of a polyurethane layer with a backing layer offelt. The outer surface of the polyurethane layer may be heat-embossedwith a friction enhancing pattern that is intended to be engaged by agolfer's hands. The overlying segment also includes a backing layer offelt, an intermediate fabric layer and a polyurethane layer. Theintermediate fabric layer comprises a mesh of nylon, cotton, polyesteror the like. The polyurethane layer of the overlying segment has athickness that is sufficient to cover and impregnate the fibers of theintermediate mesh and serves to bond together the backing layer and themesh. In one embodiment of this grip construction, the outer surface ofthe polyurethane layer of the overlying segment can be buffed topartially expose the fabric fibers of the intermediate mesh layer.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,323,433 describes a composite grip comprising anextruded seamless tubular elastomeric inner layer onto which a patternof textile cords are wound. An outer seamless tubular elastomeric layeris then assembled over the cord patterned inner layer and the assemblycured in a heated compression mold. Upon removal from the mold, somematerial is removed from outer surface to expose some of the cord.

Both the methods of U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,500 and of U.S. Pat. No.8,323,433 require numerous steps including a finishing step to buff orotherwise remove a portion of the outer layer to expose an underlyingmesh or cord layer. It would be advantageous if a simpler method couldbe provided for making a grip having anti-slip surface characteristics.It would also be advantageous if this simpler method would not require aseparate surface-removing step.

Notes on Construction

The use of the terms “a”, “an”, “the” and similar terms in the contextof describing the invention are to be construed to cover both thesingular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearlycontradicted by context. The terms “comprising”, “having”, “including”and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning“including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The terms“substantially”, “generally” and other words of degree are relativemodifiers intended to indicate permissible variation from thecharacteristic so modified. The use of such terms in describing aphysical or functional characteristic of the invention is not intendedto limit such characteristic to the absolute value which the termmodifies, but rather to provide an approximation of the value of suchphysical or functional characteristic. All methods described herein canbe performed in any suitable order unless otherwise specified herein orclearly indicated by context.

The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”and “preferably”) herein is intended merely to better illuminate theinvention and the preferred embodiments thereof, and not to place alimitation on the scope of the invention. Nothing in the specificationshould be construed as indicating any element as essential to thepractice of the invention unless so stated with specificity.

Various terms are specifically defined herein. These terms are to begiven their broadest possible construction consistent with suchdefinitions, as follows:

The term “radially-directed”, when used to describe the direction of aforce applied to or with respect to a golf club shaft, refers to adirection that is perpendicular to the axis of the shaft.

The term “detent mechanism” describes a device or combination ofstructures that is used to mechanically resist or arrest the rotation ofa device with respect to another device to which it is attached or withwhich it is associated. Detent mechanisms may be used to arrest rotationin a clockwise direction and/or a counterclockwise direction, or tointentionally divide a rotation into discrete increments.

The term “threaded fastener” includes bolts having external threads thatare adapted to engage the internal threads of a nut, and screws havingexternal threads that are adapted to be threaded into another component,device or member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a weighting assembly for a golf club that isadapted to be removably attached to the upper portion of a golf clubshaft. The weighting assembly includes a threaded fastener, an uppershaft component, a weight and a weight support component. The uppershaft component is adapted to be secured within the top end of the golfclub shaft, and has a hole that is threaded to receive the threadedfastener. The weight support component is adapted to receive the weight.The upper shaft component and the weight support component each includedetent features that cooperate to comprise a detent mechanism that isadapted to prevent movement of the weight support component with respectto the golf club shaft when the threaded fastener is threaded into thehole in the upper shaft component.

A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a plurality ofinterchangeable weights, each of which has a different density and isadapted to be received by the weight support component. Anotherembodiment of the invention includes a plurality of interchangeableweight support components and a plurality of interchangeable weights. Inthis embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality ofinterchangeable weight support components comprises a base and a portionof a solid cylinder, and each of the plurality of interchangeableweights comprises a portion of a solid cylinder that is complementarywith one of the plurality of interchangeable weight support components.

In order to facilitate an understanding of the invention, the preferredembodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings, and adetailed description thereof follows. It is not intended, however, thatthe invention be limited to the particular embodiments described andillustrated herein. Various modifications and alternative embodimentssuch as would ordinarily occur to one skilled in the art to which theinvention relates are also contemplated and included within the scope ofthe invention described and claimed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a first embodiment of the gripassembly.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the lower portion of the grip assembly of FIG.1.

FIG. 3A is a front view of the lower portion of an embodiment of thesleeve of the grip assembly that is provided with a plurality of finsspaced around the lower portion of the sleeve, along with an embodimentof a clamp assembly that includes a threaded fastener.

FIG. 3B is a top view of the clamp shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a partial schematic view of a grip portion having an integralclamp assembly and a threaded fastener.

FIG. 4B is an end view of the clamp assembly shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an elastomeric clamp member.

FIG. 5B is a top view of the elastomeric clamp member shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the cap of the assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6B is a top view of the cap of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a sectional view of the cap of FIGS. 6A and 6B.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the cap.

FIG. 7B is a top view of the cap of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a sectional view of the cap of FIGS. 7A and 7B.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a generally cylindrical spacer that may beemployed in the assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9A is a front view of the expansion member of the assembly of FIG.1.

FIG. 9B is a sectional view of the expansion member of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is a bottom view of the expansion member of FIGS. 9A and 9B,showing its integral nut.

FIG. 10A is a top view of the threaded fastener of the assembly of FIG.1.

FIG. 10B is a partial sectional view of the threaded fastener shown inFIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a first embodiment of a tool for use with thethreaded fastener of FIGS. 10A and 10B.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a second embodiment of a tool for use with thethreaded fastener of FIGS. 10A and 10B.

FIG. 13 is an end view of the wrench portion of the tool shown in FIG.11 or the tool shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the expansionmember and its mating threaded fastener.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the expansionmember, which is formed integrally with the sleeve.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a first alternative embodiment of thethreaded fastener illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a first alternative embodiment of thethreaded fastener illustrated in FIG. 14.

FIG. 18A is a bottom view of a first embodiment of a cap member thatcomprises a portion of a detent mechanism and is adapted to be attachedto the sleeve. This embodiment of a cap member can be employed with theembodiment of the attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 18B, or with theembodiment of the attachment mechanism shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.

FIG. 18B is a perspective view, partially in section, of a firstembodiment of an attachment mechanism for the upper part of the shaftcomprising a threaded nut with a portion of a detent mechanism. FIG. 18Balso includes the cap member of FIG. 18A, which comprises anotherportion of the detent mechanism.

FIG. 18C is a schematic view of the impending mating of detent featuresof the cap member and threaded nut illustrated in FIG. 18B.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a threaded nut that comprise a portionof a second embodiment of an attachment mechanism for the upper part ofthe shaft.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an upper part of a shaft that isadapted to cooperate with the nut of FIG. 19 to form a portion of adetent mechanism.

FIG. 21A is a bottom view of a second embodiment of a cap membercomprising a portion of a detent mechanism that can be employed with athreaded nut similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 18B and 19 tocomprise a detent mechanism that can be employed in the invention.

FIG. 21B is a side view of the embodiment of the cap member shown inFIG. 21A.

FIG. 22 is a side view of a portion of a sleeve to which the cap memberof FIGS. 21A and 21B may be attached.

FIG. 23A is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a cap memberwhich comprises a portion of a detent mechanism and is adapted to beattached to the sleeve. This cap member is adapted for engagement withthe threaded nut shown in FIG. 24 or the threaded nut shown in FIG. 25to comprise a detent mechanism that can be employed in the invention.

FIG. 23B is a bottom view of the embodiment of the cap member shown inFIG. 23A.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a portion of anattachment mechanism for the upper part of the shaft comprising athreaded nut that includes a portion of a detent mechanism that isadapted to cooperate with the cap member of FIGS. 23A and 23B.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view, partially in section, of anotherembodiment of an attachment mechanism for the upper part of the shaftcomprising a threaded nut with a portion of a detent mechanism that isadapted to cooperate with the cap member of FIGS. 23A and 23B, and anextension member.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view, partially in section, of yet anotherembodiment of an attachment mechanism for the upper part of the shaftcomprising a threaded nut with a portion of a detent mechanism, and anassociated cap member with a cooperating portion of a detent mechanism.

FIG. 27 is a bottom view of the cap member which comprises a portion ofa detent mechanism that is adapted to be attached to a sleeve forengagement with the threaded nut shown in FIG. 28 to form anotherembodiment of an attachment mechanism.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a portion of anattachment mechanism for the upper part of the shaft comprising athreaded nut with a portion of a detent mechanism that is adapted tocooperate with the cap member shown in FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a partially exploded view of a portion of an attachmentmechanism for the upper part of the shaft comprising a threaded nut witha portion of a detent mechanism that is adapted to cooperate with a gripportion having an integral sleeve and detent mechanism.

FIG. 30 is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of the gripassembly.

FIG. 31A is a perspective view of the reinforcing cap that is shown inFIG. 30.

FIG. 31B is a top view of the reinforcing cap of FIG. 31A.

FIG. 31C is a sectional view of the reinforcing cap of FIGS. 31A and31B, taken through the line 31C-31C of FIG. 31B.

FIG. 32A is a top view of a first embodiment of a separate overcap foruse in connection with a grip portion of the grip assembly.

FIG. 32B is a side view of the overcap shown in FIG. 32A.

FIG. 32C is a top view of a second embodiment of a separate overcap foruse in connection with a grip portion of the grip assembly.

FIG. 32D is a sectional view of the overcap shown in FIG. 32C, takenthrough line 32D-32D of FIG. 32C.

FIG. 32E is a top view of a weight support component for use in aweighting assembly for a golf club.

FIG. 32F is an exploded perspective view of the weight support componentshown in FIG. 32E and a weight that is complementary with the weightsupport component.

FIG. 32G is a perspective view of the weight support component andweight of FIG. 32F showing the complementary nature of the weight to theweight support component.

FIG. 32H is a perspective view of a cap that is adapted to cover theweight and the weight support component of FIG. 32G.

FIG. 32I is a side view of the cap shown in FIG. 32H.

FIG. 32J is a top view of an alternative cap that is similar to the capshown in FIGS. 32H and 32I.

FIG. 32K is a sectional view of golf club shaft showing a preferredembodiment of a weighting assembly that is adapted to be removablyattached to the upper portion of the golf club shaft.

FIG. 33 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a sleeve for use inconnection with the grip assembly that includes an internal threadfeature.

FIG. 34 illustrates various sleeve portions showing alternativeembodiments of a slit at the bottom thereof.

FIG. 35A is a front sectional view of a first embodiment of a gripportion that is adapted to inherently modify the balance of the golfclub to which it is attached.

FIG. 35B is a top view of the embodiment of the grip portion shown inFIG. 35A.

FIG. 36A is a front sectional view of a second embodiment of a gripportion that is adapted to inherently modify the balance of the golfclub to which it is attached.

FIG. 36B is a top view of the embodiment of the grip portion shown inFIG. 36A.

FIG. 37 is a front view of a mesh panel that may be employed inembodiments of the invention in which the grip portion is provided withanti-slip surface characteristics.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a mold forforming an embodiment of the invention including a folded mesh fabriclayer that is adapted to provide anti-slip surface characteristics tothe grip portion.

FIG. 39 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a portion ofa grip portion that is adapted to include anti-slip surfacecharacteristics, which grip portion comprises an underlying sleeve, apair of spacers and a mesh fabric overlay that may also be employed inthe mold of FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a foldedfabric layer that is placed directly on the mandrel prior to insertingit in the mold of FIG. 38.

FIG. 41 illustrates various alternative fabrics that may be used inconnection with the invention for providing anti-slip surfacecharacteristics to the grip portion.

FIG. 42 is a schematic view of a of a golf club grip assembly that isattached to a golf club shaft in such a way that the grip axis is notcoincident with the central axis of the shaft.

FIG. 43A is a top view of the reinforcing cap that is shown in FIG. 42.

FIG. 43B is a front view of the reinforcing cap of FIG. 43A.

FIG. 44 is a side view of a golf club grip assembly that is attached toa golf club shaft in such a way that the grip axis is not coincidentwith the central axis of the shaft.

FIG. 45 illustrates the grip assembly and shaft of FIG. 44 in eightdifferent angular orientations showing the effect that theseorientations have on the lie angle and/or the loft angle of the clubhead that is attached to the shaft.

FIG. 46A illustrates the effect of a first grip assembly orientation onthe loft angle of the club head that is attached to the shaft.

FIG. 46B illustrates the effect of a second grip assembly orientation onthe loft angle of the club head that is attached to the shaft.

FIG. 46C illustrates the effect of a third grip assembly orientation onthe lie angle of the club head that is attached to the shaft.

FIG. 46D illustrates the effect of a fourth grip assembly orientation onthe lie angle of the club head that is attached to the shaft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, grip assembly 20 is adapted to fit overhollow golf club shaft 22 having an inner surface 24. The grip assemblyincludes cap 26 (also shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C), and generallycylindrical sleeve 28 that has a longitudinal axis 29 which, in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is coincident with the longitudinalaxis of shaft 22. Sleeve 28 is provided with a single slit 30 (not shownin FIG. 1) that extends along its entire length and tapers so as to bewider at its bottom end (towards the club head) than at its top end.This slit allows grip assembly 20 to be installed on golf club shafts ofvarious diameters. Sleeve 28 may be made of plastic, preferablyacrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), or of metal or any othersuitable material, and it may be provided in various lengths to allowthe grip assembly to be located at any of various axial locations alongthe shaft. Grip assembly 20 also includes generally hollow grip portion32 that is adapted to fit over the sleeve. Grip portion 32 is preferablymade from an elastomeric material and provided with a surface texturethat can easily be gripped by the hands of a golfer. Grip portion 32 canbe provided in any suitable configuration and in any convenient length.Preferably, sleeve 28 is provided with a plurality of fins 34 that arespaced around the lower portion of the sleeve. These fins are adapted toengage the inside surface of grip portion 32 and to prevent the gripportion of the assembly from rotating with respect to sleeve 28. Inother embodiments of the invention, fins, ribs or other anti-rotationfeatures can be provided in any of various longitudinal and radiallocations on the sleeve.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a mechanism by which a radially directed orclamping force can be applied to the lower portion of the grip assemblyto hold it securely on golf club shaft 22. As shown therein, sleeve 28is provided with external threads 66 on its lower portion, which threadsare adapted to mate with the internal threads on clamp nut 68. Sleeve 28is also provided with lower ledge portion 70 that serves to retain clampnut 68 on the sleeve when it is not tightened onto threaded portion 66.When clamp nut 68 is threaded onto threads 66 on the lower portion ofsleeve 28, a radially directed clamping force is applied to the sleeveon the shaft.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate yet another embodiment of a lower sleeveclamping mechanism. As shown therein, sleeve 128 is provided with asingle slit 130 that extends along its entire length and tapers so as tobe wider at its bottom end (towards the club head) than at its top end.This slit allows the grip assembly to be installed on golf club shaftsof various diameters. Preferably, sleeve 128 is provided with aplurality of fins 134 that are spaced around the lower portion of thesleeve and are adapted to engage the inside surface of the grip portionto prevent it from rotating with respect to the sleeve. This embodimentof the invention also includes clamp 167 and clamp fastener 168. Clamp167 is preferably of rigid plastic or metal and includes gap 169. Clamp167 is adapted to encircle a bottom portion of the sleeve above lowerledge portion 170. Clamp fastener 168 is provided to engage a threadedhole in the clamp so that when the clamp is positioned on the bottomportion of sleeve 128, tightening of clamp fastener 168 will close gap169 to apply a radially directed clamping force to the sleeve on thegolf club shaft. Clamp 167 and fastener 168 are retained on the sleeveby lower ledge portion 170 when the clamp is not tightened against thesleeve.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the inventionhaving a grip portion that includes an integral sleeve, and alsoincludes an integral mechanism by which a radially directed or clampingforce can be applied to the lower portion of the grip assembly to holdit securely on the golf club shaft. As shown therein, grip portion 220includes clamp 267 and clamp fastener 268. Clamp 267 is integrallyformed in grip portion 220 and is adapted to encircle shaft 222 at thebottom of the grip portion. Clamp 267 is of a type that is adapted tomaintain a clamping force on the shaft, and to release this clampingforce by threading clamp fastener 268 in a threaded hole provided in theclamp. Threading clamp fastener 268 into the hole provided will open agap at intersection 269 of the ends of the clamp so that the gripportion may be properly positioned on the shaft. Threading clampfastener in the opposite direction will close the gap as shown in FIGS.4A and 4B to create a radially directed or clamping force on the shaft.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an alternative clamp members comprisingelastomeric band 195. In the alternative, a rigid plastic ring with anexpansion slit, or an O-ring could be used as a clamp member.

As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, cap 26 is particularly adapted for use,in grip assembly 20 (see FIG. 1), in connection with expansion member 46(also shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C). Referring now to FIGS. 6A, 6B and6C, cap 26 has an upper lip 36 that is adapted to fit over the top ofthe sleeve, and a downwardly depending sidewall 38 that is adapted tofit within the upper part of the sleeve. Preferably, the upper lip andthe downwardly depending sidewall are adhesively attached to the insidesurface of sleeve 28 above the top of shaft 22, as best shown in FIG. 1.Cap 26 also has an intermediate portion 40 that includes hole 42 throughwhich a threaded fastener such as bolt 44 (also shown in FIGS. 10A and10B) may be placed, so that the head 45 of the bolt will rest onintermediate portion 40 of cap 26. Furthermore, the portion of sidewall38 that is located below intermediate portion 40 helps to stabilize andalign expansion member 46 within shaft 22 in the embodiment of theinvention shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate an alternativeembodiment of the cap that can also be used with expansion member 46. Asshown therein, cap 126 has a top portion 135 with an upper lip 136 thatis adapted to fit over the top of the sleeve, and a downwardly dependingsidewall 138 that is adapted to fit within the upper part of the sleeve.Preferably, the upper lip and the downwardly depending sidewall areadhesively attached to the inside surface of the sleeve above the top ofthe golf club shaft. Top portion 135 of cap 126 includes hole 142through which a threaded fastener such as bolt 44 may be placed.Furthermore, sidewall 138 helps to stabilize and align an expansionmember (such as expansion member 46) within shaft 22.

As shown in FIG. 8, generally cylindrical spacer 139 may be provided tofit atop upper lip 36 of cap 26 or top portion 135 of cap 126 to allowfor a longer grip portion to be attached to sleeve 34 of the gripassembly. Multiple caps 26, caps 126 or spacers 139, each of which has adifferent weight, may be provided to allow a user to modify the balanceof the golf club assembly by interchanging the various caps or spacers.

As best shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, expansion member 46 includes upperportion 48 that is preferably adapted to fit within the sidewalls of acap, and lower portion 50 that includes a plurality of expansion ribs52. Lower portion 50 of expansion member 46 is sized and configured sothat it can fit within the top end of golf club shaft 22, as shown inFIG. 1. Preferably, the lower portion of the expansion member extendsdownwardly for at least % inch from the top of the shaft in itsunexpanded state. Expansion member 46 is provided with central hole 54that is adapted to receive a threaded fastener such as bolt 44, and anintegral nut 56 is provided at the lower end of the expansion member.Nut 56 is threaded so as to mate with threaded bolt 44, and expansionmember 46 is made of compressible material, so that advancing bolt 44into nut 56 will compress the expansion member, thereby expanding itagainst inside surface 24 of the top portion of golf club shaft 22. Thisexpansion of expansion member 46 exerts a radially directed force on theshaft inside the sleeve, which in turn, exerts a radially directed forceagainst the sleeve 28 and grip portion 32 of the assembly to hold thegrip assembly in place on the shaft. Preferably, bolt 44 and nut 56 areconfigured and arranged so that the bolt cannot be removed from the nut,but it can be threaded into or partially unthreaded from the nut toapply or to remove a radially directed force on the inside surface 24 ofthe shaft.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, grip portion 32 hasan opening 58 at the top which communicates with the portion of cap 26above intermediate portion 40 to allow a tool such as tool 60 (shown inFIGS. 11 and 13) or tool 188 (shown in FIGS. 12 and 13) to engage a toolengagement feature such as hex slot 62 in head 45 of bolt 44 (shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B). In addition, bolt 44 is provided with a central hole64 which provides a pressure relief outlet from the interior of theshaft. In alternative embodiments of the invention, a fastener with arounded head may be employed in connection with a grip portion that isopen at the top.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate alternative embodiments of the upper clampingmechanism of the invention. These embodiments include components thatmay be substituted for cap 26 (or cap 126), bolt 44 and expansion member46 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 14, a threadedfastener such as screw 144 is provided to mate with internally threadedexpansion member 146. This expansion member is provided with a pluralityof expansion slots, one of which, slot 145, is shown. In this embodimentof the invention, no nut (such as nut 56 that is associated withexpansion member 46) is needed. Because the diameter of screw 144 islarger than that of the lower end of expansion member 146, threading ofthe screw into the expansion member will cause the expansion member toexpand radially outwardly against the inside surface of the top portionof the golf club shaft, thereby exerting a radially directed forceagainst the sleeve and grip to securely hold the grip assembly on theshaft. In this embodiment of the invention, the grip portion (not shown)will have an opening (such as opening 58 at the top of grip 32) whichcommunicates with the inside of the sleeve to allow a tool (such as tool60 or tool 188) to engage a tool engagement feature such as hex slot 162in screw 144. In addition, screw 144 is provided with a central hole 164which provides a pressure relief outlet from the interior of the golfclub shaft. FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in whichinternally threaded expansion member 246 is essentially identical toexpansion member 146 of FIG. 14, except that expansion member 246 isintegrally formed with sleeve 228 and provided with an annular slot intowhich golf club shaft 22 may be placed. Expansion member 246 is providedwith a plurality of expansion slots, one of which, slot 245, is shown.In this embodiment of the invention (as in the embodiment of FIG. 14),no nut (such as nut 56) is needed, and a screw, such as screw 144, maybe threaded into the expansion member to cause the expansion member toexpand radially outwardly against the inside surface of the top portionof the golf club shaft, thereby exerting a radially directed forceagainst the integral sleeve and grip portion to securely hold the gripassembly on the shaft.

FIG. 16 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the threaded fastenerillustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, and FIG. 17 illustrates an alternativeembodiment of the threaded fastener illustrated in FIG. 14. As shown inFIG. 16, fastener 47 includes recess 49 in the upper surface of itshead, which recess is adapted to receive ball marker 51. Preferably,ball marker 51 is removably secured in the recess by magneticattraction. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 17, fastener 147 includes recess149 in the upper surface of its head, which recess is adapted to receiveball marker 151. Preferably, ball marker 151 is removably secured in therecess by magnetic attraction.

FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, 19 and 20 illustrate first and second alternativeembodiments of an attachment mechanism for the upper part of the shaftwhich comprises a threaded nut and a detent mechanism. As shown in FIG.18B, threaded nut 330 includes an upper ring portion 332 and generallycylindrical nut portion 334 which includes internally threaded centralhole 336. Preferably, nut portion 334 is sized to fit within the upperpart of golf club shaft 22 and to be glued, bonded, integrally formedwith or otherwise fixed to the inner surface 24 of the upper part of theshaft. Upper ring portion 332 preferably has an outside diameter that isessentially the same as that of shaft 22 so that when threaded nut 330is affixed to the upper portion of shaft 22, sleeve 28 may be slidaxially along the shaft without interference from nut portion 334. FIG.20 illustrates an alternative golf club shaft 122 that is provided withexternal (or male) threads 360 on its upper end. Threaded nut 362, shownin FIG. 19, is provided with internal (or female) threads 364 that areadapted to threadably engage threads 360 on the upper end of golf clubshaft 122 so that nut 362 can be secured thereto. Nut 362 also includesinternally threaded central hole 366. In other embodiments of theinvention (not shown in the drawings), the threaded nut may be providedwith external (or male) threads that mate with corresponding internal(or female) threads in the top portion of the shaft. In the embodimentsdescribed herein which include internal or external threads on theshaft, such threads may be formed by any known thread cutting or millingmethods, or by other known thread forming methods.

As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, cap member 340 is integrally formed with,glued, welded or otherwise affixed to the inside surface 29 of sleeve28. In other embodiments of the invention, the cap member can be sizedand shaped to obtain a friction fit with the inner surface of the sleeveor with respect to a grip portion that is integrally combined with atleast a portion of the sleeve. In other embodiments of the invention,the cap member can be provided with outer surface features that serve tokeep the cap member from rotating with respect to a sleeve or withrespect to a grip portion that is integrally combined with at least aportion of the sleeve. Preferably, cap member 340 is recessed somewhatfrom the top of sleeve 28 and is affixed to the inner surface thereof,as shown in FIG. 18B. Cap member 340 includes central hole 342 and aplurality of detent features 344 that are adapted to mate with detentfeatures 346 on the top of threaded nut 330, or with detent features 368on the top of threaded nut 362. The detent features on the cap memberand the threaded nut are complementary so that the mating of the capmember and the threaded nut will resist rotation of the cap member withrespect to the threaded nut. Preferably, detent features 344 of capmember 340 comprise a series of adjacent angled detent surfaces 348 thatare arranged to intersect at peak lines 350 and valley lines 352. Inthis embodiment of the invention, peak lines 350 and valley lines 352are perpendicular to longitudinal axis 29 of sleeve 28. It is alsopreferred that the angle θ measured between each pair of adjacent detentsurfaces 348 that intersect at a peak line 350 is within the range ofabout 45° to about 150°, most preferably about 90°. It is also preferredthat the angle φ measured between each pair of adjacent detent surfaces348 that intersect at a valley line 352 is equal to 180°−θ. Similarly,detent features 346 of threaded nut 330 comprise a series of adjacentangled detent surfaces 354 that are arranged to intersect at peak lines356 and valley lines 358. In this embodiment of the invention, peaklines 356 and valley lines 358 are perpendicular to longitudinal axis 29of sleeve 28. It is also preferred that the angle θ measured betweeneach pair of adjacent detent surfaces 354 that intersect at a valleyline 358 is within the range of about 45° to about 150°, most preferablyabout 120°, and that the angle φ measured between each pair of adjacentdetent surfaces 354 that intersect at a peak line 356 is equal to180°−θ.

FIG. 18C is a schematic view of the impending mating of detent features344 of cap member 340 and detent features 346 of threaded nut 330. Whena threaded fastener such as bolt 44 is passed through hole 342 of capmember 340 and advanced into threaded hole 336 of nut 330, detentsurfaces 348 on cap member 340 will substantially contact and mate withdetent surfaces 354 on threaded nut 330 to prevent sleeve 28 fromrotating with respect to shaft 22. When cap member 340 is employed withthe attachment mechanism for the upper part of shaft 122 that isillustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, and a threaded fastener such as bolt 44is passed through hole 342 of cap member 340 and advanced into threadedhole 366, detent features 344 on the cap will mate with correspondingdetent features 368 on the nut to prevent sleeve 28 from rotating withrespect to shaft 122.

An alternative to cap member 340 is cap member 370 (shown in FIGS. 21Aand 21B). This cap member includes central hole 372 and a plurality ofdetent features 374 that are adapted to mate with corresponding detentfeatures on the top of a threaded nut. These detent features comprise aseries of adjacent angled detent surfaces that are similar to those ofcap member 340, although in this embodiment of the invention, theadjacent angled detent surfaces intersect at peak lines and valley linesthat are perpendicular to longitudinal axis 329 of sleeve 328 (shown inFIG. 22) but are closer together than those of cap member 340. Capmember 370 is also provided with radial projections 376, 378, 380 and382 that are adapted to slide into and mate with slots on sleeve 328(shown in FIG. 22). Thus, radial projection 376 of cap member 370 fitsinto slot 384 of sleeve 328, radial projection 378 fits into slot 386,radial projection 380 fits into a slot on the opposite side of sleeve328 from slot 384, and radial projection 382 fits into slot 388. Thismating of cap member 370 and sleeve 328, which may be enhanced with anadhesive or other bonding means) will keep the cap member from rotatingwith respect to the sleeve or with respect to a grip portion that isintegrally attached to or combined with a sleeve. When sleeve 328 isplaced over a shaft with a threaded nut that is provided with detentfeatures which are adapted to mate with detent features 374 on thebottom of cap member 370, and a threaded fastener such as bolt 44 ispassed through hole 372 of cap member 370 and advanced into the threadedhole of the nut, detent features 374 on cap member 370 will mate withthe corresponding detent features on the threaded nut to prevent sleeve328 from rotating with respect to the shaft.

FIGS. 23A, 23B and 24 illustrate another embodiment of an attachmentmechanism for the upper part of the shaft which comprises a threaded nutand a detent mechanism. As shown therein, threaded nut 446 includes anupper ring portion 448 and generally cylindrical nut portion 449 whichincludes internally threaded central hole 450. Preferably, nut portion449 is sized to fit within the upper part of golf club shaft 22 and tobe glued, bonded, integrally formed with or otherwise fixed to the innersurface 24 of the upper part of the shaft. Upper ring portion 448preferably has an outside diameter that is essentially the same as thatof shaft 22 so that when threaded nut 446 is affixed to the upperportion of shaft 22, a sleeve (not shown, but essentially the same assleeve 28 in FIG. 18B) may be slid axially along the shaft. Cap member452 is integrally formed with, glued, bonded or otherwise affixed to theinside surface of the sleeve. Preferably, cap member 452 is recessedsomewhat from the top of the sleeve, similar to the way that cap member340 is recessed from the top of sleeve 28 as shown in FIG. 18B. Capmember 452 includes central hole 454 and a plurality of detent featurescomprising radially extending projections 456. Each pair of adjacentprojections 456 is separated by a space 457. Projections 456 are adaptedto mate with corresponding detent features on the top of threaded nut446. The detent features on nut 446 comprise radially extendingprojections 458 that are separated by spaces 459. When a threadedfastener such as bolt 44 is passed through hole 454 of cap member 452and advanced into threaded hole 450, projections 456 will mate withspaces 459 between projections 458, and correspondingly, projections 458will mate with spaces 457 between projections 456 to prevent the sleevefrom rotating with respect to shaft 22. Cap member 452 may also beprovided with clocking markings 460 that may be aligned with similarmarkings (not shown) on the grip portion attached to the sleeve so thatthe proper mating of detent features on the cap member and the threadednut can be easily obtained.

FIG. 25 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which anattachment mechanism for the upper part of the shaft is mounted in anextension member that allows for effective extension of the shaftlength. As shown therein, threaded nut 546 (which is essentiallyidentical to nut 446 of FIG. 24) includes an upper ring portion 547 andgenerally cylindrical nut portion 548 which includes internally threadedcentral hole 549. Threaded nut 546 is glued, bonded, integrally formedwith or otherwise affixed to an extension member which includes upperportion 550 and lower portion 551. In other embodiments of theinvention, attachment mechanisms for the upper part of the shaft withdifferent detent features from those of threaded nut 546 may beinstalled in an extension member. In still other embodiments, extensionmembers may be provided with upper portions and/or lower portions ofvarious lengths so that the effective length of shaft 22 may be variedto suit the preferences of multiple golfers.

It is also preferred that upper portion 550 of the extension member hasan outside diameter that is essentially the same as the outside diameterof shaft 22, and that lower portion 551 of the extension member is sizedto fit within the upper portion of the shaft. Preferably, nut portion548 is sized to fit within upper portion 550 of the extension member,and is glued, bonded, integrally formed with or otherwise fixed to theinner surface 552 of the upper portion 550 of the extension member, andlower portion 551 of the extension member is glued, welded or otherwisefixed to the inner surface 24 of shaft 22. Upper ring portion 547preferably has an outside diameter that is essentially the same as thatof the extension member, so that so that when threaded nut 546 isaffixed to the upper portion 550 of the extension member and lowerportion 551 of the extension member is affixed to the upper part ofshaft 22, a sleeve (not shown, but essentially the same as sleeve 28 inFIG. 18B) may be slid axially along the shaft. Cap member 452 (shown inFIGS. 23A and 23B) may be integrally formed with, glued, welded orotherwise affixed to the inside surface of the sleeve, and recessedsomewhat from the top of the sleeve, similar to the way that cap member340 is recessed from the top of sleeve 28 as shown in FIG. 18B. When athreaded fastener such as bolt 44 is passed through hole 454 of capmember 452 and advanced into threaded hole 549 of threaded nut 546,projections 456 will mate with spaces 559 between projections 558 of nut546, and correspondingly, projections 558 will mate with spaces 457between projections 456 to prevent the sleeve from rotating with respectto shaft 22.

FIG. 26 illustrates another embodiment of an attachment mechanism forthe upper part of the shaft which comprises a threaded nut and a detentmechanism. As shown therein, threaded nut 646 includes an upper portion650 that has an outside diameter which is essentially the same as thatof shaft 122, so that when threaded nut 646 is affixed to the upperportion of shaft 122, a sleeve (not shown, but essentially the same assleeve 28 in FIG. 18B) may be slid axially along the shaft. Threaded nut646 also includes a lower portion 651 that is similar to lower portion551 of threaded nut 546 and a plurality of projections 645 (one of whichis shown) on the outer surface of lower portion 651. These projectionsare adapted to mate with corresponding slots 123 on shaft 122 forattachment of nut 646 to the shaft. This method of attachment can beenhanced by use of an adhesive or other bonding means between lowerportion 651 of threaded nut 646 and shaft 122. In other embodiments ofthe invention, the shaft may be provided with female (or internal)threads and the exterior surface of the threaded nut with male (orexternal) threads adapted to mate therewith. In such an embodiment, thethreaded nut may simply be threaded into engagement with the shaft.

Threaded nut 646 also includes internally threaded central hole 650. Capmember 652 is integrally formed with, glued, bonded, integrally formedor otherwise affixed to the inside surface of the sleeve. Preferably,cap member 652 is recessed somewhat from the top of the sleeve, similarto the way that cap member 340 is recessed from the top of sleeve 28 asshown in FIG. 18B. Cap member 652 includes central hole 654 and a detentfeature 655 that is adapted to mate with any of the detent features onthe top of threaded nut 646. Preferably, the detent feature 655 of capmember 652 comprises a pair of adjacent angled detent surfaces that arearranged to intersect at peak line 660 and abut inner cylindricalsurface 661 at a pair of valley lines 662. The detent features ofthreaded nut 646 comprise a series of adjacent angled detent surfaces664 that are arranged to intersect at peak lines 666 and valley lines668. These peak lines and valley lines are parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the sleeve. Preferably, the angle θ measured between each pairof adjacent detent surfaces 664 that intersect at a valley line 668 iswithin the range of about 45° to about 150°, most preferably about 120°,and that the angle φ measured between each pair of adjacent detentsurfaces 664 that intersect at a peak line 666 is equal to 180°−θ.Similarly, the adjacent detent surfaces of detent feature 655 of capmember 652 are parallel to those of detent surfaces 664 of nut 646 sothat these detent features will mate in a manner similar to that shownin FIG. 18C, when a threaded fastener such as bolt 44 is passed throughhole 654 of cap member 652 and advanced into threaded hole 650, toprevent the sleeve (not shown) from rotating with respect to shaft 122.In other embodiments of the invention, the cap member may be providedwith two or more detent features, but fewer than those on the threadednut, so long as the detent features on the cap member are spaced andconfigured to mate with the detent features on the threaded nut.

FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate another embodiment of an attachment mechanismfor the upper part of the shaft which comprises a threaded nut and adetent mechanism. As shown therein, threaded nut 746 is generallyhexagonal and includes internally threaded central hole 750. Preferably,nut 746 is sized to fit within the upper part of golf club shaft 22 andto be glued, welded or otherwise fixed to the inner surface of the upperpart of the shaft. Cap member 752 is sized slightly larger than nut 746and is adapted to be glued, welded or otherwise affixed to the insidesurface of the sleeve (not shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, but essentiallyidentical to sleeve 28 shown in FIG. 18B). Preferably, cap member 752 isrecessed somewhat from the top of the sleeve, similar to the way thatcap member 340 is recessed from the top of sleeve 28 as shown in FIG.18B. Cap member 752 includes central hole 754 and at least two detentpins 756 that are adapted to mate with detent recesses 758 on the top ofthreaded nut 746. When detent pins 756 in cap member 752 are alignedwith corresponding detent recesses 758 in threaded nut 746 and athreaded fastener such as bolt 44 is passed through hole 754 of capmember 752 and advanced into threaded hole 750, engagement of the detentfeatures will prevent the sleeve from rotating with respect to shaft 22.

FIG. 29 illustrates another preferred embodiment of an attachmentmechanism for the upper part of the shaft which comprises a threaded nutand a detent mechanism. As shown therein, threaded nut 846 includes alower portion 848 that is sized to fit within the upper part of golfclub shaft 22 and an upper portion 850 that has an outside diameter thatis essentially the same as the outside diameter of shaft 22. Lowerportion 848 may be sized to create a friction fit or interference fitwith shaft 22 and/or upper portion 850 may be affixed to or integrallyformed with the upper surface of the shaft. Threaded nut 846 alsoincludes internally threaded central hole 852. Grip portion 832 in thisembodiment of the invention is rigid enough to include an integralsleeve and to support integral portion 834 of a detent mechanism that isadapted to cooperate with a corresponding portion of a detent mechanismin upper portion 850 of threaded nut 846. Preferably, the portion of thedetent mechanism of integral portion 834 of grip portion 832 comprises aseries of adjacent angled detent surfaces that are arranged to intersectat peak lines and valley lines (similar to other embodiments of theattachment mechanism described herein). In this embodiment of theinvention, the peak lines and valley lines are perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of grip portion 832 with its integral sleeve (similarto the peak lines and valley lines in the attachment mechanism of FIGS.18B and 19). Similarly, the portion of the detent mechanism of threadednut 846 comprises a series of adjacent angled detent surfaces that arearranged to intersect at peak lines and valley lines which are alsoperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of grip portion 832. When athreaded fastener such as bolt 44 is passed through a hole in overcap854 and through a hole in the top of grip portion 832 and advanced intothreaded hole 852, the detent surfaces on integral portion 834 of gripportion 832 will substantially contact and mate with detent surfaces onupper portion 850 of threaded nut 846 to prevent the grip portion withintegral sleeve from rotating with respect to shaft 22.

FIG. 30 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention thatincludes an attachment mechanism for the upper part of the shaft whichcomprises a threaded nut and a detent mechanism. As shown therein, gripassembly 900 comprises sleeve 902 that is adapted to fit over hollowgolf club shaft 22. Threaded nut 904 includes a lower portion 906 thatis sized to fit within the upper part of golf club shaft 22, top portion908 that is provided with detent surfaces similar to those of threadednut 846 and an intermediate ledge portion 910 that has an outsidediameter that is essentially the same as the outside diameter of shaft22. Lower portion 906 may be sized to create a friction fit orinterference fit with shaft 22 and/or intermediate ledge portion 910 maybe bonded to or otherwise affixed to the upper surface of the shaft.Threaded nut 904 also includes internally threaded central hole 912.Grip assembly 900 also includes cap 914 that is provided with detentsurfaces that are adapted to engage with the detent surfaces on topportion 908 of threaded nut 904 in order to form a detent mechanism. Cap914 also includes through hole 915 that may be threaded. Relativelyrigid reinforcing cap 916 (also shown in FIGS. 31A, 31B and 31C) isplaced over cap 914 to provide additional strength to the detentmechanism formed between cap 914 and nut 904. As shown in FIGS. 31A, 31Band 31C, reinforcing cap 916 includes hole 918 in its top wall, and thegrip assembly includes overcap 922 that may be provided in any ofvarious weights. The overcap also is provided with a hole so that athreaded fastener such as bolt 44 may be placed through the hole in theovercap, and through hole 918 in the top wall of reinforcing cap 916,and through hole 915 in cap 916 to be threaded into hole 912 of nut 904.This will cause the portion of the detent mechanism on the cap member tosubstantially contact and mate with the portion of the detent mechanismon the threaded nut to prevent sleeve 902 from rotating with respect toshaft 22. Grip assembly 900 also includes generally hollow grip portion920 that is adapted to fit over the sleeve. Grip portion 920 can beprovided in any suitable configuration and in any convenient length.Preferably, sleeve 902 is provided with an annular rib 923 at its bottomend that can be engaged by clamp 924.

FIGS. 32A and 32B illustrate a first embodiment 925 of an alternativeovercap. This overcap is provided with central hole 926 (similar to thecentral hole in overcap 922) that is adapted to receive a threadedfastener such as bolt 44, and a cavity 927 that is adapted to receive awasher of any of various weights to modify balance of the golf club.FIGS. 32C and 32D illustrate a second embodiment 930 of an alternativeovercap. Overcap 930 is comprised of first portion 932 having a firstdensity D₁ and second portion 934 having a second density D₂ that isdifferent from the first density D₁ in order to modify the balance ofthe golf club. Although portions 932 and 934 of overcap 930 are shown ashaving essentially the same volume (or occupying equal 180° radialportions of the overcap), one may be larger than the other, or there maybe three or more portions, each of which has a density that is differentfrom the others. Overcap 930 includes central hole 936 (similar to thecentral hole in overcap 922) that is adapted to receive a threadedfastener.

FIGS. 32E, 32F, 32G, 32H, 32I, 32J and 32K illustrate an alternativeweighting assembly for use in modifying the balance of a golf club. Asshown therein, upper shaft component 1002 (shown in FIG. 32K) is adaptedto be secured within the top end of golf club shaft 1004 having innersurface 1006, and to which is attached grip portion 1008. Upper shaftcomponent 1002 includes a lower portion 1010 that is sized to fit withinthe upper part of golf club shaft 1004, top portion 1012 that isprovided with detent surfaces similar to those of threaded nut 846 orthreaded nut 904, and an intermediate ledge portion 1014 that has anoutside diameter that is essentially the same as the outside diameter ofshaft 1004. Lower portion 1010 may be sized to create a friction fit orinterference fit with inner surface 1006 of shaft 1004, or it may beadhesively attached to the inner surface 1006 of shaft 1004.Alternatively, or in addition, intermediate ledge portion 1014 may bebonded to or otherwise affixed to the upper surface of the shaft, asshown in FIG. 32K. Upper shaft component 1002 also includes internallythreaded central hole 1016. The weighting assembly also includes weightsupport component 1018 having a base 1020 that is provided with detentsurfaces that are adapted to engage with the detent surfaces on topportion 1012 of upper shaft component 1002 in order to form a detentmechanism. Integrally formed with base 1020 in this embodiment of theinvention is portion 1022 comprising one half of a solid cylinder.Weight 1024 is adapted to complementary engage weight support component1018 as shown in FIGS. 32F and 32G. A plurality of interchangeableweights such as weight 1024 may be provided in this embodiment of theinvention, each having a different density and weight, so long as eachis adapted to be received by or to complementary engage weight supportcomponent 1018. In other embodiments of the invention, the weightingassembly may include a plurality of interchangeable weight supportcomponents and a plurality of interchangeable weights, wherein each ofthe weights is adapted to be received by or is complementary with atleast one of the plurality of interchangeable weight support components.

The weighting assembly also includes cap 1026, and threaded fastener1028 which may be similar to threaded fastener 44. Cap 1026 is adaptedto cover the weight support component and weight and is shaped so as toconform to the exterior surfaces of the weight and the weight supportcomponent when the weight is received by the weight support component.Thus, cap 1026 assists in securely holding the weight in engagement withthe weight support component. When weight 1024 and weight supportcomponent 1018 are in complementary engagement as shown in FIG. 32G, thecombination of weight 1024 and weight support component 1018 comprise ahole through which threaded fastener 1028 may pass. Cap 1026 includesthrough hole 1030 through which threaded fastener 1028 may pass. Inembodiments of the invention in which the combination of the weight andthe weight support component comprises a solid cylinder, the threadedfastener may be integrally formed with the cap.

Threaded fastener 1028 is adapted to engage central hole 1016 of uppershaft component 1002 to secure weight support component 1018, weight1024 and cap 1026 to golf club shaft 1004. When the components of theweighting assembly are assembled as described herein and threadedfastener 1028 is threaded into hole 1016 in upper shaft component 1002,the detent features on weight support component 1018 will substantiallycontact and mate with the detent features on upper shaft component 1002to prevent weight support component 1018 (and the entire weightingassembly) from rotating with respect to golf club shaft 1004.

In other embodiments of the invention, the weight support component maycomprise a base and any portion of a solid cylinder generally betweenone quarter and three quarters or more. In still other embodiments ofthe invention, the portion of the weight support component attached tothe base may be a portion of a cone, a pyramid, a solid structure havinga pentagonal, hexagonal or octagonal cross-section, or any other solidstructure of convenient shape, so long as it is complementary with atleast one weight, and so long as the combination of weight and weightsupport component can comprise a through hole and can support a capsimilar to cap 1026. In other embodiments of the invention, the weightmay be integrally formed with the cap. In still other embodiments of theinvention, a cap such as cap 1032 may be employed. Cap 1032 is similarto cap 1026, except that it is provided with clocking markings 1034associated with the detent features of the weight support component,which markings may be aligned with a mark or feature on the grip portion(not shown) to facilitate removably securing the weight supportcomponent to the golf club shaft in a desired rotational position. Inother embodiments of the invention, the weight may be attached to orintegrally formed with the threaded fastener and the weight supportcomponent provided with a complementary shape that allows the threadedfastener to be turned to thread into the threaded hole in the uppershaft component. In some such embodiments, no cap is required.

In still other embodiments of the invention, upper shaft component 1002and weight support component 1018 can be provided with any of theseveral detent features described herein or with detent features thatare otherwise known to those having ordinary skill in the art, so longas they cooperate to prevent movement of the weight support componentwith respect to the golf club shaft when the threaded fastener isthreaded into the hole in the upper shaft component. For example, theweight support component may include a detent feature comprising aradially extending projection, and the upper shaft component may includea detent feature comprising a slot that is adapted to receive theradially extending projection in order to prevent movement of the weightsupport component with respect to the golf club shaft when the threadedfastener is threaded into the hole in the upper shaft component.

The detent features on each of the weight support component and theupper shaft component may comprise a series of adjacent angled detentsurfaces that are arranged to intersect at peak lines and valley lines.In this embodiment of the invention, the peak lines and valley lines areperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the golf club shaft.Furthermore, each pair of adjacent detent surfaces on the weight supportcomponent that intersect at a peak line form an angle θ, and each pairof adjacent detent surfaces on the weight support component thatintersect at a valley line form the angle φ that is equal to 180°−θ.Each pair of adjacent detent surfaces on the upper shaft component thatintersect at a valley line form an angle θ, and each pair of adjacentdetent surfaces on the upper shaft component that intersect at a peakline form the angle φ that is equal to 180°−θ. In a preferred embodimentof the invention of this type, the angle θ between each pair of adjacentdetent surfaces on the weight support component that intersect at a peakline is within the range of about 45° to about 150°, and the angle θbetween each pair of adjacent detent surfaces on the upper shaftcomponent that intersect at a valley line is within the range of about45° to about 150°.

FIG. 33 illustrates an embodiment of a sleeve 1050 that includes slits1052, 1054 and 1056 at its lower end that are of different lengths andis provided with rifling grooves or projections 1057 that enable thesleeve to be “twisted” onto the golf club shaft.

Alternative sleeves 1058, 1060, 1062, 1064, 1066, 1068, 1070 and 1072are illustrated in FIG. 34, each of which is provided with a slit thatextends only along a portion of the length of the sleeve. As showntherein, these alternative slits may be provided with variousconfigurations at the bottom of the sleeve, each of which includes acut-out of a different configuration. These embodiments of the sleevewill accommodate multiple shaft diameters and shafts having varyingdiameters.

FIGS. 35A and 35B illustrate a first embodiment of a grip portion thatis comprised of two materials of different densities, each of whichcomprises a different part of the grip portion. As shown therein, gripportion 1074 comprises a first material of a first density D₁ thatoccupies radial portion 1076 comprising 180° of the circumference of thegrip portion and a second material of a second density D₂ that isdifferent from the first density D₁ that occupies radial portion 1078also comprising 180° of the circumference of the grip portion. In otherembodiments of the invention, the materials of different densities mayoccupy differently sized radial portions of the grip assembly.Preferably, however, a first material having a density of D₁ occupies aradial portion R₁ comprising at least about 90° of the circumference ofthe grip portion, and a second material having a density D₂ that isdifferent from density D₁ occupies a radial portion R₂ comprising360°−R₁ of the circumference of the grip portion. In other embodimentsof the invention, three or more materials, each having a differentdensity, may occupy differently sized radial portions of the gripassembly.

FIGS. 36A and 36B illustrate a second embodiment of a grip portion thatis comprised of two materials of different densities. As shown therein,grip portion 1080 comprises a first material of a first density D₁ thatoccupies a portion 1082 of the grip portion that extends for a length L₁in a direction that is parallel to the axis of the grip portion, and asecond material of a second density D₂ that is different from the firstdensity D₁ that occupies the remainder 1084 of the space occupied by thegrip portion. In this embodiment of the invention, the outer surface ofportion 1082 occupies about 50° of the circumference of grip portion1080, and the distance L₁ comprises about 18% of the total length ofgrip portion 1080. In other embodiments of the invention, the materialsof different densities may occupy differently sized radial portionsand/or portions of different lengths of the grip assembly. In otherembodiments of the invention, three or more materials, each having adifferent density, may occupy differently sized radial portions and/orportions of different lengths of the grip assembly. These materials ofdifferent densities may be made or assembled by various methods known tothose having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention relates.The embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 36A and 36B, alongwith other embodiments described herein that are adapted to modify theweight distribution of the grip assembly, provide a golf club grip thatcan be removably located at different rotational positions on the shaftin order to modify the balance of the golf club.

The invention provides an easily interchangeable golf club grip assemblythat includes both upper and lower mechanisms for securing the grip tothe shaft of the golf club by applying attachment forces to the shaft attwo separate locations. The assembly can be easily removed in order toreplace the grip or to change the axial or rotational location of thegrip assembly on the shaft. The invention can also incorporate a gripportion that is provided with anti-slip surface characteristics.

FIG. 37 illustrates a layer of mesh fabric 2010 that may be employed inthe invention. Preferably, the fabric is an open mesh having a surfacethat is coated with silicon carbide or aluminum oxide particles having agrit size within the Federation of European Producers of Abrasives(“FEPA”) standard range of P12 (average grain diameter 1815 μm) to P1200(average grain diameter 15.3 μm). Such products are commonly sold as“drywall sandpaper” or “sanding screen”. The diameter and spacing of thethreads in mesh fabric 2010 may be of any convenient dimensions.Preferably, the diameter of such threads is within the range of0.02-0.125 inches, and the spacing between threads is within the rangeof 0.01-0.4 inches. Preferably, the threads intersect at right angles,as shown in FIG. 37, although they may also intersect at any convenientangle within the range of 30°-90°.

FIG. 38 illustrates injection mold assembly 2012 comprising uppersection 2014 and lower section 2016. Mold assembly 2012 includes agenerally cylindrical cavity 2018 in the center of which is locatedmandrel 2020 that has an outer diameter comparable to that of a golfclub shaft. Sleeve 2022 of plastic or other suitable material is placedon the mandrel, and around the sleeve is placed a mesh fabric 2010 thathas been folded so as to comprise two layers that extend generallyaround the sleeve. Because the preferred fabric is somewhat stiff, theouter of the two layers will tend to abut the inner surface of cavity2018 of the mold assembly, as shown in FIG. 38.

Upper section 2014 of mold assembly 2012 has a pair of risers 2024 and2026 that communicate with cavity 2018 by way of cross-passages 2028 and2030. When the sleeve and fabric are placed over the mandrel in the moldassembly, as shown in FIG. 38, uncured elastomer is injected throughrisers 2024 and 2026 and flows through the cross-passages and intocavity 2018. The elastomer will generally encapsulate the fabric,although at least a portion of the outer surface thereof will be exposedadjacent the inner surface of cavity 2018. When the elastomer is curedwith heat, the finished grip is removed from the mold assembly.

FIG. 39 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the components of agrip sub-assembly that is adapted to be placed over a mandrel such asmandrel 2020. As shown therein, a pair of spacers 2032 are placed oversleeve 2022 and a single-layer of fabric that has been formed into acylinder 2034 is placed over the spacers. Any number of spacers may beused, and they may have any convenient dimensions, so long as they areadapted to fit over sleeve 2022 and within fabric cylinder 2034. Thissub-assembly may then be placed into cavity 2018 of mold assembly 2012and uncured elastomer injected into risers 2024 and 2026. The injectedelastomer will flow through cross-passages 2028 and 2030 into cavity2018. The elastomer will generally encapsulate the fabric, although atleast a portion of the outer surface thereof will be exposed adjacentthe inner surface of cavity 2018. When the elastomer is cured with heat,the finished grip is removed from the mold assembly.

In an alternative to the arrangement of FIG. 39 (not shown), thesub-assembly that is placed over mandrel 2020 may comprise one or morelayers formed of strips of fabric that are spirally wound around thesleeve or around a plurality of spacers that have been placed over thesleeve. In another embodiment of the invention, fabric 2036 is formedinto a double-walled cylindrical configuration for placement directlyonto mandrel 2038, as shown in FIG. 40.

FIG. 41 illustrates various fabric surface textures that may be employedin connection with the invention. Although all of the fabrics showntherein extend generally the entire length of the grip, they may be ofany convenient length and may be interrupted along the length of thegrip.

Although FIGS. 1, 2, and 29 illustrate grip assemblies having a circularcross-section and a grip axis (i.e., the axis through the center of thegrip portion) that is coincident with the central axis of the shaft, itis within the scope of the invention to include grip assemblies that areinstalled on the shaft in such a way that the grip axis is notcoincident with the central axis of the shaft, in order to modify theloft and/or lie angles of the golf club. For example, the standardputter has a built-in 4° loft angle and a built-in 15° lie angle. Byproviding the grip portion of the grip assembly with a bore that isangled with respect to the shaft axis, the grip assembly can be placedon the shaft at an angle that will modify either or both of the built-inloft angle and the built-in lie angle of the club. Depending on thediameter of the grip portion and the angle of its bore with respect tothe grip axis, the built-in loft and lie angles can be varied by up toabout 8°, although a variation of 2°-3° from the standard angles wouldbe useful for most golfers.

The Rules of Golf allow for grips to be installed on a golf club shaftin such a way that the grip axis is offset from the shaft axis. FIG. 42illustrates a grip assembly 920 having a grip portion 940 with a boreaxis that is not coincident with the central axis of the sleeve. Thus,as shown therein, shaft 22 includes threaded nut (not shown), which iscovered by reinforcing cap 946 (also shown in FIGS. 43A and 43B) that isshaped and sized to create a friction fit or interference fit with thetop portion of the shaft. The threaded nut includes a portion of adetent mechanism such as is described in other embodiments of theinvention. Cap member 970 includes a corresponding or mating portion ofa detent mechanism and is attached to the inner surface of sleeve 928.The sleeve is placed over shaft 22 until the portion of the detentmechanism of cap member 970 mates with the portion of the detentmechanism on the threaded nut. Cap member 970 also includes a centralhole (not shown) that is aligned with a threaded hole in the threadednut, so that a threaded fastener such as bolt 44 may be passed throughhole 950 in overcap 954, through a hole in cap member 970 and through ahole in reinforcing cap 946, and advanced into the threaded hole in thethreaded nut. This will cause the portion of the detent mechanism on thecap member to substantially contact and mate with the portion of thedetent mechanism on the threaded nut to prevent sleeve 928 from rotatingwith respect to shaft 22.

FIG. 44 illustrates another golf club grip assembly, namely gripassembly 100, that is attached to golf club shaft 102 in such a way thatgrip axis 104 is not coincident with central axis 106 of the shaft.Depending on the orientation of the grip on the shaft, an offset gripwill modify either or both of the built-in loft angle and the built-inlie angle. Grips that may be installed in such a way that the grip axisis offset from the shaft axis must be at least ten inches long, and theycannot provide a loft angle of more than 10° or a lie angle of less than10°. If it is assumed that: (a) grip length is 10″, and (b) the golfclub shaft has a wall thickness of 0.6 inches, and (c) the shaft shouldnot come any closer to either side of the grip than 0.125″, and (d) theshaft should not come any closer to the top of the grip than 0.5″, themaximum offset angle A° for a grip having a circular cross-section ofdiameter D can be determined as follows:

${A{^\circ}} = \frac{100\mspace{11mu} \left( {D - 0.85} \right)}{10.55}$

Thus, the maximum offset angle A° for a grip having a circularcross-section of diameter 1.0″ is:

${A{^\circ}} = {\frac{100\mspace{11mu} (0.15)}{10.55} = {1.42{{^\circ}.}}}$

The maximum offset angle A° for a grip having a circular cross-sectionof diameter 1.25″ is:

${A{^\circ}} = {\frac{100\mspace{11mu} (0.4)}{10.55} = {3.79{{^\circ}.}}}$

The maximum offset angle A° for a grip having a circular cross-sectionof diameter 1.5″ is:

${A{^\circ}} = {\frac{100\mspace{11mu} (0.65)}{10.55} = {6.16{{^\circ}.}}}$

The maximum offset angle A° for a grip having a circular cross-sectionof diameter 1.75″ is:

${A{^\circ}} = {\frac{100\mspace{11mu} (0.9)}{10.55} = {8.53{{^\circ}.}}}$

This same formula can be used to determine the maximum offset angle forgrips having a non-circular cross-section, if the longest dimensionacross the width of the grip is substituted for “D” in the formula.

FIG. 45 illustrates the grip assembly and shaft of FIG. 44 in eightdifferent angular orientations showing the effect that theseorientations have on the lie angle and/or the loft angle of the clubhead that is attached to the shaft. These orientations are viewed fromthe top of the grip assembly and include opening 158, which is similarto opening 58 in assembly 20. On the top row of FIG. 45, on the rightside is illustrated a grip orientation that provides a positive offsetA_(F) to the loft angle. This positive offset A_(F) to the loft angle isalso illustrated in FIG. 46B. On the top row of FIG. 45, theillustration second to the right side illustration shows a griporientation that provides a negative offset A_(F) to the loft angle.This negative offset A_(F) to the loft angle is also illustrated in FIG.46A. On the top row of FIG. 45, on the left side is illustrated a griporientation that provides a positive offset A_(E) to the lie angle. Thispositive offset A_(F) to the lie angle is also illustrated in FIG. 46C.On the top row of FIG. 45, the illustration second to the left sideillustration shows a grip orientation that provides a negative offsetA_(E) to the lie angle. This negative offset A_(E) to the lie angle isalso illustrated in FIG. 46D. On the bottom row of FIG. 45, from left toright, are illustrated combination offsets to the loft and lie angles,respectively (a) a positive lie offset and a positive loft offset, (b) apositive lie offset and a negative loft offset, (c) a negative lieoffset and a negative loft offset, and (d) a negative lie offset and apositive loft offset.

Although this description contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providingillustrations of the presently preferred embodiments thereof, as well asthe best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out theinvention. The invention, as described herein, is susceptible to variousmodifications and adaptations, as would be understood by those havingordinary skill in the art to which the invention relates.

1. A weighting assembly for a golf club that is adapted to be removablyattached to the upper portion of a golf club shaft, said weightingassembly comprising: (a) a threaded fastener; (b) an upper shaftcomponent that: (i) is adapted to be secured within the top end of thegolf club shaft; (ii) has a hole that is threaded to receive thethreaded fastener; (iii) includes an upper shaft component detentfeature; (c) a weight; (d) a weight support component that: (i) isadapted to receive the weight; (ii) includes a weight support componentdetent feature; wherein the upper shaft component detent feature and theweight support component detent feature comprise a detent mechanism thatis adapted to prevent movement of the weight support component withrespect to the golf club shaft when the threaded fastener is threadedinto the hole in the upper shaft component.
 2. The weighting assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the weight support component is adapted to receive theweight in such a manner that the weight support component and the weighttogether comprise a hole through which the threaded fastener may pass.3. The weighting assembly of claim 1 which includes a plurality ofinterchangeable weights, each of which: (a) has a different density; (b)is adapted to be received by the weight support component.
 4. Theweighting assembly of claim 1 which includes: (a) a plurality ofinterchangeable weight support components, each of which comprises: (i)a base; (ii) a portion of a solid cylinder; (b) a plurality ofinterchangeable weights, each of which comprises a portion of a solidcylinder that is complementary with one of the plurality ofinterchangeable weight support components.
 5. The weighting assembly ofclaim 1 which includes a cap that: (a) is adapted to cover the weightand the weight support component; (b) includes a hole through which thethreaded fastener may pass.
 6. The weighting assembly of claim 1 whichincludes a cap that: (a) is adapted to cover the weight and the weightsupport component; (b) is integrally formed with the threaded fastener.7. The weighting assembly of claim 1 wherein the weight is integrallyattached to the threaded fastener.
 8. The weighting assembly of claim 1wherein: (a) the weight support component includes a detent featurecomprising a radially extending projection; (b) the upper shaftcomponent includes a detent feature comprising a slot; wherein theradially extending projection of the weight support component is adaptedto be received in the slot of the upper shaft component to comprise adetent mechanism that is adapted to prevent movement of the weightsupport component with respect to the golf club shaft when the threadedfastener is threaded into the hole in the upper shaft component.
 9. Theweighting assembly of claim 1 which includes clocking markingsassociated with the detent features that may be aligned to facilitateremovably securing the weight support component to the golf club shaftin a desired rotational position.
 10. The weighting assembly of claim 1wherein the detent features on each of the weight support component andthe upper shaft component comprise a series of adjacent angled detentsurfaces that are arranged to intersect at peak lines and valley lines.11. The weighting assembly of claim 10 wherein: (a) the golf club shafthas a longitudinal axis; (b) the peak lines and valley lines areperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the golf club shaft.
 12. Theweighting assembly of claim 10 wherein: (a) each pair of adjacent detentsurfaces on the weight support component that intersect at a peak lineform an angle θ; (b) each pair of adjacent detent surfaces on the weightsupport component that intersect at a valley line form the angle φ thatis equal to 180°−θ; (c) each pair of adjacent detent surfaces on theupper shaft component that intersect at a valley line form an angle θ;(d) each pair of adjacent detent surfaces on the upper shaft componentthat intersect at a peak line form the angle φ that is equal to 180°−θ;13. The weighting assembly of claim 12 wherein: (a) the angle θ betweeneach pair of adjacent detent surfaces on the weight support componentthat intersect at a peak line is within the range of about 45° to about150°; (b) the angle θ between each pair of adjacent detent surfaces onthe upper shaft component that intersect at a valley line is within therange of about 45° to about 150°.
 14. A weighting assembly for a golfclub that is adapted to be removably attached to the upper portion of agolf club shaft, said weighting assembly comprising: (a) a threadedfastener; (b) an upper shaft component that: (i) is adapted to besecured within the top end of the golf club shaft; (ii) has a hole thatis threaded to receive the threaded fastener; (iii) includes an uppershaft component detent feature; (c) a weight comprising a portion of asolid cylinder; (d) a weight support component that is adapted toreceive the weight, said weight support component comprising: (i) abase; (ii) a portion of a solid cylinder that is complementary with theweight; (iii) a weight support component detent feature; (e) a cap thatis adapted to cover the weight and the weight support component; whereinthe upper shaft component detent feature and the weight supportcomponent detent feature comprise a detent mechanism that is adapted toprevent movement of the weight support component with respect to thegolf club shaft when the threaded fastener is threaded into the hole inthe upper shaft component.
 15. The weighting assembly of claim 14 whichincludes: (a) a plurality of interchangeable weight support components,each of which comprises: (i) a base; (ii) a portion of a solid cylinder;(iii) a weight support component detent feature; (b) a plurality ofinterchangeable weights, each of which comprises a portion of a solidcylinder that is complementary with one of the plurality ofinterchangeable weight support components.
 16. The weighting assembly ofclaim 14 which includes a cap that includes a hole through which thethreaded fastener may pass.
 17. The weighting assembly of claim 14 whichincludes a cap that is integrally formed with the threaded fastener.